How have you dealt with Anxiety and panics attacks? What helped?

[teatin]

I was diagnosed with anxiety panic disorder back in 2016. I was supposed to take Fluoxitine but was too scared and never took it. Over the years my anxiety and panic attacks would come back for several months then leave both out of seemingly nowhere.

As of recent I've been dealing with the whole thing again for the last 4 months and back then I didn't have any medication to use, but now I use .25 mg of Xanax when I'm having a severe panic attack. It works great and I feel sober when I take it, if that makes sense? However being a benzo I am always cautious of the frequency of taking them because of how addictive I've heard that they are.

Now I am waiting for the first of the year to come so I can get booked with a psychiatrist. I would like to try CBT but also get prescribed Xanax or some form of benzo for emergencies.

What are some ways that you've dealt with anxiety or panic attacks? What medicators have you used that you liked? Have you tried CBT? How did it work for you?

Thank you in advance for reading and replying, I hope that everyone this reaches can recover in a quick and timely manner.

[PadThaiNoodles]

My primary problem is Major Depressive Disorder, which I take escitalopram and lamotrigine for. The escitalopram has a hugely beneficial effect on my co-morbid anxiety.

I also did a CBT course, and found that quite helpful as well.

Finally I have to say I have issues with the way “addiction” is talked about with mental health drugs. I have a mechanical aortic valve. If I stop taking warfarin then I will in all likelihood throw enough clots that one of them will kill me. Does this mean I’m “addicted” to warfarin? OK, so what about it?

My daughter is on a daily dose of benzodiazepines because the SSRIs and tricyclics don’t work for her. It seems to me that you do what you have to do.

But if you haven’t tried an SSRI, I’d highly recommend them. (And CBT too.)

[Zyxx in reply to PadThaiNoodles]

I’d be really careful with encouraging people to take benzos. It’s not comparable to warfarin in the least.

Within a short period of time, the benzos no longer really help you, as the body has grown accustomed, but it seems as if they still do because if you don’t take them you feel awful. That’s addiction. No such thing with warfarin.

And if you want to go off benzos….well, apparently there are people who can do it without issues (I read the number is about 50%). The rest will go through hell getting off them and may end up with permanent brain issues.

[Agora1]

Hi teatin and Welcome to a comforting and safe community.

I struggled with Anxiety/Panic attacks years ago and was put on 0.25 mg Xanax. once a day.

It does work quickly to settle down both the mind and the bodily symptoms. Because it

works so fast it has become a favorite with the anxious person.

If taken as prescribed, we can become more dependent on this med than addicted.

Over time it no longer worked for me and I was switched to an SSRI. I wasn't depressed

but was told this med works on anxiety as well. And it does teatin. That medication and

therapy can help you get some relief as well as take a step forward from fear and feel

as if you are living again and not just existing.

I'm glad you are here with us. As we exchange our own journeys through Anxiety and Panic

we learn from each other. One thing to remember is that we all react differently to meds.

There is no "one size fits all". Same with therapies used. Good Luck with CBT and your

psychiatrist appointment. xx

[Scorpiorising]

Fluoxetine will help stop most panic attacks.

[Starrlight]

Hi! So for me, giving the attacks less attention has helped.

[Agora1 in reply to Starrlight]

I agree Starrlight. Anxiety doesn't like when we ignore it. xx

[Kimmieblue]

I agree with Agora, ssri's can work really well for anxiety, they can actually help you kick anxiety's ass and you can feel so much better. It's a known fact that Anxiety and Depression are worldwide problems and there is absolutely no shame in having help for these debilitating feelings.

I myself take an ssri and I say thank goodness for them.

I wish you all the best and hope you feel better soon.

K.

[Agora1 in reply to Kimmieblue]

Kimmieblue, it's been life changing for me as well. xx

[1cancerpatient]

Fluoxetine combined with CBT helps a lot.

Also, I find this person's anxiety disorder journey helpful.

sites.google.com/view/fromf...

[RS1974]

I'm a recovering addict so can't take anything that's addictive for me. But do take a high dose of gabapentin for anxiety and buspar 20 mg 3 times a day. I still get anxious but not as bad as b4